In Years 5–6, peer influence is strong and ākonga are increasingly exposed to bullying behaviours in the playground and online. Schools often need a practical way to help students understand that bystanders are never neutral — and that what they do can either reinforce harm or improve safety. Online bullying can be especially tricky to respond to because tone is missing, messages spread fast, and people can hide behind screens, making it harder to know what’s happening and what to do next.
This session builds “active bystander” capability (without pressuring students to confront situations unsafely). Ākonga explore common bystander choices, practise safe and positive actions they can take in the moment or later, and learn where to go for support. Part of the Netsafe Cyberbullying Prevention Toolkit.
This session
Theme
Explore the power of bystanders in bullying situations, offline and online, by recognising their choices and practising safe, positive actions that make a difference.
Learning outcomes: In this session, students will learn to:
- Recognise that bystanders have power to make a difference.
- Identify the range of bystander choices.
- Practise safe active bystander responses (e.g., sending a kind private message, not forwarding harmful content, reporting, standing beside a classmate).
- Know where to go for help (trusted adults, school systems, Netsafe).
Activities:
- Class and small group discussions, 25 mins: Bystander choices — Slide deck.
- Class or small group activity, 15 mins: Practising safe bystander responses — Slide deck Scenario section (print off scenario slides for use in small groups).
- Exit ticket, 5 mins: One way I could respond as an active bystander is...
- Extensions:
- Scenario creation
- Choice wall
- Tuakana Teina
- Personal action plans
Key messages:
- Everyone is a bystander sometimes - it’s what you do that matters.
- Cyberbullying and bullying should never be ignored.
- You don’t always have to intervene in the moment; follow-up actions are
- Powerful.
- Active bystanders make a real difference to safety and wellbeing, both online and offline.
Classroom resources:
- Slide deck to support discussions, complete with scenarios
- PDF: Netsafe helpline poster
Teacher support:
- Facilitator guide – with context, research, and learning progression.
- Activity plan – with step by step instructions.
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Related Tools and Resources
A Cyberbullying Prevention session for Years 5-6, to help students sport cyberbullying early and practice safe bystander responses.
Years 5-6 students learn to choose safe responses to hurtful behaviour and know when to seek support. A Netsafe Cyberbullying Prevention Toolkit session.
- Year 5-6
- Year 7-8
- Year 9-11
- Year 12-13
- Cyberbullying
- 20-40 per session
The Student Spark Kits help teachers support ākonga to lead practical actions that make their school communities kinder and safer - both online and offline. Part of the Cyberbullying Prevention Toolkit.